Baby Lancers cruise into semis

CEBU, Philippines - Gerald Legarde charted 32 points as the University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers stymied a late yet blazing rally by the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USFP) Baby Panthers to eke out an 85-78 win and proceed into the semifinals of the 9th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) basketball season last night at the USC Gym.

Legarde, the only bright hope for the Baby Lancers in offense, played the fireman’s role in extinguishing the Baby Panthers,who came back roaring despite being down by 18 points in the third period, 34-52.

Rommel Diapera, one of the most dreaded scorers from the USPF side, hit a triple to put USPF on top, 70-69, but free throws by Anthony Rommel Pero and Glennson Ybañez enabled the Baby Lancers to seize the lead back, 75-73.

It was the unheralded Mark Salazar who ignited a mind-boggling rally by the Baby Panthers as he made four three-point shots in the fourth period including a rare four-point play. His last triple gave USPF a 76-65 edge with still 2:35 left to play.

Mark Linao, Vincent Mendoza,Ybañez and Legarde, however, put their acts together to give the Baby Lancers enough breathing room, 87-78, with only 14 seconds left to play.

Linao finished with 13 points followed by Ybañez with 11.

Salazar and Joshua Corcilles had 17 points each for the Baby Panthers. Monbert Arong added 13 points while Diapera and Christian Baguio scored 10 apiece in a losing cause.

The scores

UV (85) - Legarde 32, Linao 13, Ybañez 11, Brigoli 9, Arong 9, Mendoza 6, Quilaton 5, Pero 3, Marata 2

USPF (78) - Salazar 17, Corcilles 17, Arong 13, Diapera 10, Baguio 10, Silao 4, Rosales 3, Gigante 2, Catipay 2

Halftime: 40-32   (FREEMAN NEWS)